Introduction

Have you ever experienced cycling in the majestic alpine regions of Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand or Canada?

Would you like to discover remote valleys far from the hustle and bustle of city life and sample the hospitality of townsfolk who rarely encounter overseas tourists? How about experiencing a cycle tour with the thrill of descending from mountain passes and following crystal clear streams that flow down narrow valleys to eventually form the great rivers of Europe?

Stop and think for a moment what it would be like to do cycle touring beneath hanging glaciers that spill over cliff edges from permanent snowfields above.

Picture yourself cycling along the northern edge of the Thuner See bound for Lauterbrunnen and a valley of waterfalls, then having a day off the bike to stretch the legs walking at the foot of the Eiger and the Jungfrau. For a change of pace you might also enjoy a day of rest by the famous Lake Maggiore at Ascona where one can swim and enjoy all that Switzerland has to offer in terms of an Italian-style holiday atmosphere by the lake. Have you ever thought it possible that you would ever stay high in the Swiss Alps in a mountain chateau that offers absolutely indescribable views of the Austrian Vorarlbergs, Lake Constance, Bavaria, Liechtenstein and the Swiss Alps all from one place? Be surrounded by friendly mountaineers and enjoy the hospitality of this cosy mountain chateau built over a hundred years ago by the ancestors of the man who runs it today! Unbelievable but true! Most of our tours end with a night at this unforgettable place.

On an Alpine Cycle Tours holiday you can enjoy these things and more. We experience the satisfaction of climbing the mountain passes of the Tour de France, Tour of Switzerland and the Tour of Italy and once at the top allow ourselves a moment to enjoy a coffee and absorb the mighty panoramas before racing down the other side to discover other valleys and new roads.

Would you like to join a small group of enthusiastic riders as they cycle up and down through the Alps of up to five countries in two weeks?

Had you ever wondered if this type of cycling holiday was really possible? Not only is it possible, it will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life! Why not be a part of something that will not only enhance your riding skills but tune your physical fitness to new levels. While groups are kept small to ensure harmony, our alpine adventures bring us together as a team and enable its members to realise personal goals that will add a richness to their lives for having accomplished something few have the opportunity to do.

Our guides have extensive experience leading tours in Europe and New Zealand

Their knowledge of the language together with an understanding of the cultures in even the most remote areas means that our tours are not just about cycling they are about appreciating the beauty and timeless nature of a wide variety of alpine communities.

We enjoy the comfort of quality guesthouses and small hotels and provide a support vehicle

which can transport those who may have found the going a little beyond them on any given day, or the whole group in the event of inclement weather so that we continue to maintain our programme. Daily distances vary between 50 and 110 kilometres depending on the terrain and the tour you are undertaking. These distances are a mixture of riding the bike and travelling in the bus. How much you do of each is entirely up to you, the individual. We operate a number of tours each European summer depending on the level of bookings and most tours commence from and return to Zurich, not only because of its proximity to the Alps, but also because of the ease in connecting to other flights should you wish to make further ongoing arrangements for an extended holiday.

STANDARD ALPINE CYCLE TOURS FEATURES

The 13 day/12 night tour package includes:

Accommodation

All breakfasts throughout the tour

Support vehicle and driver

Transfers

Tour guide/mechanic

Spare tubes and tyres

The 13 day/12 night package does not include:

Airfare

Lunches and dinners

Telephone, fax and email costs

Laundry

Items of a personal nature

Sightseeing other than that undertaken on your own bike or with the support vehicle

TAILOR – MADE TOURS

As an alternative, a group of up to eight riders can request a tour focused on their requirements,

visiting the places they would like to see and staging the distances according to their preference. With the leader’s experience, tours will be pitched to the level that the riders prefer and yet maintain the same standards of service and support that regular tours enjoy.

NEW ZEALAND TOURS

Is New Zealand your preferred destination?...

Alpine Cycle Tours may have the tour to show you the best of what New Zealand has to offer. Our guided tours concentrate on the west coast of New Zealand and will take you on a 9 day odyssey though rugged rainforests and pristine farmland, past spectacular gorges, alongside fast flowing rivers and along picture-perfect coastline. Our tours have it all.

Alpine Cycle Tours is based in Australia and as such can offer unparalleled experience and knowledge of the culture and landscape of this exciting country.

The South Island tour starts in Christchurch and winds its way west through the northern section of the Southern Alps through Arthurs Pass and across to Greymouth on the west coast. From there it heads down a magnificent stretch of coastline past the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, inland over the Haast Pass and alongside the pristine lakes of Wanaka and Hawea with the peaks of the Mt Aspiring National Park, as an ever-present backdrop. From Wanaka it's on to Queenstown and then our mini bus transit back to Christchurch.

Groups are limited to between 4 and 11 people not including the tour guide and use only quality hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation. For a full list of inclusions see the details pertaining to the tour itself.

Tours are guided and are a combination of riding and transits depending on weather conditions, density of road traffic and individual rider’s preferences. We cater to all levels of ability as the support vehicle is always on hand to give a lift to riders who might have “done enough for the day”

As with our European Tailor-made Tours, a group of up to eleven can request a tour focused on their requirements, visiting the places they would like to see and staging the distances according to their preference. With the leader’s experience, tours will be pitched to the level that the riders prefer and yet maintain the same standards of service and support that regular tours enjoy.

If you have something in mind, why not try us out! We are happy to consider your specific requirements. Other than that, have a look at our material or e-mail us for further information.

CANADA TOURS

We partner with Mountain Madness Tours in Canada who have a successful history of taking bike tours through the Canadian Rockies. Mountain Madness Tours can be found at www.mountainmadnesstours.com and is owned and operated by Ben Johnson, an Australian who now lives in Canada and knows the Rockies their intimately. Check out their website for more information.